An American Girl

Wordless Wednesday: Joe's Valentine

2012-02-15T08:53:00.001-06:00

Happy Hearts Day

2012-02-14T17:15:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day isn't a Hallmark holiday around these parts.

We're pretty low-key, but we do acknowledge it somehow.

This year, I've got a deadline I'll be working late to meet and Joe has class.

But just the same, we'll meet on the couch for cuddles and a delicious dinner and a little homemade present all wrapped up and waiting for Joe.

Wishing you all lots of love (in any form) on happy hearts day!

Sew Excited!

2012-02-13T13:50:00.001-06:00

I made a happy little discovery Saturday afternoon.

I was on my way to meet Joe at the grocery store after he got out of his Saturday morning class downtown. Since it was unexpectedly freezing outside, I wandered past the grocery store to see if I could find someplace to treat us to a cup of coffee.

Instead, I discovered the Crate and Barrel outlet store. Which is a find in of itself.

But even better, I discovered they sell yardage of Marimekko fabric!! It is a season or two behind, but on Saturday, I picked up 12 yards of cheery fabrics at $3.95 a yard.....instead of the $45 and up they normally charge for a yard of Marimekko fabrics.

Who in their right mind could resist snapping up such cheery fabrics at such a steal?

And because I was so excited, I came right home and sewed my first ever pillowcovers for the couch using this super easy tutorial.

It was quick and easy, only taking me about an hour and a half to make both. It may have taken less time if the sewing machine had been cooperative instead of jamming up and running out of thread. Joe loves the colors as much as I do, and the best part is, (all a happy accident, I swear!) they match perfectly with my envisioned plan for our living room redo.

Needless to say, I'm sew excited! /end cheesy puns.

KtMac Reviews: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

2012-02-10T12:08:00.000-06:00

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Author: Laura Hillenbrand

The Good: From the author who wrote about Seabiscuit, is this story about Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and WWII prisoner of war. It is an intriguing story about how Zamperini survived some deplorable and inhumane conditions as a prisoner of war in the South Pacific and how he overcame those struggles.

The Bad: Spoiler alert: Zamperini survives. That's good. But the bad is that he became a religious motivational speaker and entirely too much of the story is devoted to that. The story could have ended shortly after mention of his life after WWII.

The Verdict: I'm willing to bet this will also become a future movie if it's not already in the works. But, I was really disappointed by the preachy note the book ended on. It's an interesting story, but not one of my favorites, so read with the knowledge that it will get a bit preachy at the end.

KtMac Reviews: Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II

2012-02-10T11:50:00.000-06:00

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Author: Mitchell Zuckoff

The Good: This is a true story about several U.S. service members who were lost in an isolated jungle in the South Pacific during WWII. The story almost reads like a novel because it is so incredible. It's captivating.

The Bad: Sometimes the author didn't pursue a side story as far as I'd like or I had trouble remembering it was a true story instead of real life and was a little disappointed that not all things turned out the way I would have liked.

The Verdict: A must read. It's absolutely captivating and appeals to all. WWII history, adventure, exotic locales, beautiful scenery, hints of a romance.

KtMac Reviews: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2012-02-09T13:36:00.001-06:00

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Authors: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Good: This is a story of the villagers on the Isle of Guernsey and how they coped with German Occupation during WWII. The entire story is shared through letters, written by the villagers after WWII to a young authoress in the hopes that she'll write about their story. Each letter reveals another part of the story or a "correction" of someone else's story....much in the same way small-town gossip and rumor mills run.

The Bad: It's a bittersweet story with a bittersweet ending set in the backdrop of WWII.

The Verdict: I had a lot of fun reading this novel. At first, I was slightly annoyed by the letter format, but the unique style really won me over and I think the story is much stronger for having used that format. While it's a novel, I did learn a bit more about WWII history - such as Guernsey really was occupied by Germans during WWII - and thoroughly enjoyed the scandals and stories and corrections and gossip of small town life with a story to share.

KtMac Reviews: Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth

2012-02-08T15:51:00.001-06:00

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Author: Naguib Mahfouz

The Good: I wrote my undergrad thesis on another Mahfouz novel, so I was eager to get into this novel. This novel did not disappoint. It is the story of a young Egyptian trying to find out the "truth" about Akhenaten and his rule. Each chapter is a telling of Akhenaten's story from people who knew him and were influenced during his reign.

The Bad: Some of the stories (chapters) were so similar, they got kind of redundant. Also, because I have a short term memory for lists of complex characters, I couldn't put this book down for several days without losing track of who was who.

The Verdict: Read! Definitely read! Especially those of you with a background in the Middle East or an interest in Ancient Egypt.

KtMac Reviews: A Farewell to Arms

2012-02-07T11:39:00.001-06:00

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Note: A dear, sweet, sassy friend of mine and I were talking one day last summer about all the books we never read in school for some reason or another. And an informal, nerdy book club was formed. We made up a list of books we hadn't read and each month, we take turns picking a book off the list to read. There's some informal discussions, but usually it's just a chance for us to read a book we've wanted to read but never did. All future book reviews from that list will have a label of "Nerdy Book Club." And if anyone's interested in reading along, let me know and I'll post a note at the beginning of each month.

Author: Ernest Hemingway

The Good: It's Hemingway's most famous book, and widely believed to be loosely auto-biographical. This morning's reviewed book, The Paris Wife, also hints at this. Despite its setting in Italy during World War I, it's a love story.

The Bad: It's Hemingway. I've read several of his novels and short stories before. The only ones I've ever liked have been the ones set in nature. He has a very dry, very pared down prose that can be quite uncomfortable.

The Verdict: Eh. At least I can say I've read it. I'm not a fan of Hemingway.

KtMac Reviews: The Paris Wife: A Novel

2012-02-07T09:22:00.001-06:00

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Author: Paula McLain

The Good: This novel is based on the true story of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley. It's an extremely well-written novel and pulls many of its stories from tales told about Hemingway's first marriage. You know before you open the book how it'll end (damn history!), but you find yourself enchanted and rooting for Hadley and Hemingway anyway.

The Bad: It's a bit devastating. Hemingway's life is well-known, and it's hard, even in a novel, to watch someone's life fall off the tracks so hard.

The Verdict: A must-read. Absolutely. You won't be able to put it down.

KtMac Reviews: The Sandalwood Tree

2012-02-06T23:21:00.002-06:00

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Author: Elle Newmark

The Good: The imagery (see an early theme running through my reviews yet) was great. I really felt like I was seeing India through Evie's eyes. I could also feel her fascination with the letters....I'd probably be just as enchanted with the authors of hidden letters if I found some hidden in my home too.

The Bad: Eh, it felt a bit disjointed. I understood the reasoning behind writing the book like she did, but it didn't flow as well. I also was not at all happy with the ending.

The Verdict: A solid "meh." Read it if you're bored or trying to avoid mandatory reading (like me on IT migration strategies...zzzzz)....skip it if you've got any other book that sounds more interesting.

KtMac Reviews: The Wishing Trees

2012-02-06T14:57:00.001-06:00

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Author: John Shors

The Good: The imagery in this story is so striking....I felt like I was on their travels with them, and going through the same grieving process as this father and daughter. The stages of grief are tied with their visits to various Asian countries.

The Bad: It is a bittersweet, sad story. Understandably so, given that it's the story of Ian and his daughter Mattie's travels to remember and move on from the Kate's death. Sometimes the pain is a little too raw, which makes it even more believable.

The Verdict: I'm starting my little book week on the blog with this book because it's been my absolute favorite read out of all the books I'll be reviewing this week. Just incredibly well-written with vivid imagery and raw, understandable emotions. Absolutely a must-read. John Shors' other books are already in my queue, waiting for me to finish a few others.

New Color Scheme

2012-02-05T20:24:00.000-06:00

My friends....I've been playing around with some colors and background designs on the blog (which may explain some of the wonkiness if you've visited lately). I figured if I'm craving color in my life, I needed some on my blog as well. What do you think?

Happy Friday

2012-02-03T11:30:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday my friends. I hope your weekend is filled with comfy clothes and lounging on comfy couches with soft blankets and loves to cuddle up to. (We often take the back cushions off the couch for a little extra cuddle room when we plan on being extra lazy. Love it.)

Be sure to check back next week for the first ever book week....I'll be sharing all my overdue book reviews and a few other book-related posts.

Red Aurora Australis

2012-02-01T20:51:00.000-06:00

Just absolutely stunningly breathtaking.

Red Aurora Australis from Alex Cherney on Vimeo.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Zoom

2012-02-01T10:58:00.001-06:00

Remember how I mentioned my new lens from Photojojo? I treated myself to a telephoto lens adapater. Still need to go out and really play with it, but I'm already a fan.

Without the zoom lens.

With the zoom lens.

End of January Randoms

2012-01-31T17:09:00.001-06:00

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* Well, at the end of the month, I'm looking around at recent purchases and things I've accomplished, and I have to admit, I think I've done a great job of adding some much needed color to my life. And for incredibly reasonable prices too! I still have more I'd like to do for the living room....but that can wait a bit.

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* I've also pushed myself out of my cozy little comfort zone a bit this month, and I'm proud of myself for that as well. From little things like trying new cocktails and teaching myself some decorative sewing techniques, to bigger things like inventing my own pattern for a sewing project (blog post on that at a later date) to today, when I finally conquered my fear of the weight machines at the gym and did an entire 30 minute routine without any assistance. I tell ya, if you're not pushing your boundaries in big ways and small, that cozy little comfort zone rapidly becomes suffocating....and you don't want that.

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* The weather this winter has been appreciated, but it sure has left me confused. It was 57* today! In Chicago, on 31 January! And I was comfortable going for a walk in a sweatshirt and capris....in Chicago, in January! So strange. Part of me hopes this is as bad as winter gets, but part of me keeps waiting for the other shoe to fall, and hard. In the meantime though, I'm taking advantage of the weather and going for a nice, long walk this evening.

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* All of these stunning, colorful photographs are from the same artist responsible for last week's Color Love Explosion post. Since I've stumbled across Eric Cahan's work, I haven't been able to stop going back to his website every. single. day. They really combine my love for color and photography and the sky and water.

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* Tomorrow starts my first self-imposed "no buy" month of the year. I feel like I've come a long way in my shopping habits. Partly because I rarely ever set foot in actual stores anymore. But. I still feel like I don't always mindfully shop, so I'm trying to slow down the online purchases. Taking a month off doesn't mean I'm not looking....just not buying. And that gives me time to decide whether it's a purchase I really need to make and whether I've found the best price for that item. It also gives me a chance to reassess my personal budgets and make sure I reach all the personal financial goals.

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* I have been feeling sort of restless lately, and that's translated itself into more activity. I've been a quietly busy bee this month. No more socialization than normal, but more activity. I've done quite a few crafty projects and redeveloped a gym routine after a holiday hiatus. I've also started finding some quickie little workouts to toss into my work day when I need a break or start getting sleepy (important since I no longer drink any caffeine). I'm feeling the difference, but I'd like it even more if I could see the difference.

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* All in all, even just one month in, I'd say I'm doing a good job of living up to 2012's word for the year: Live. Here's to another great 11 months!

Awesome-asaurus

2012-01-27T12:11:00.001-06:00

I ordered a new lens from Photojojo. We'll talk about it some more after I've had some time to play with it.

But this is how the package arrived today:

And inside, along with my new lens was this little guy:

Definitely added an unexpected awesome surprise to my day!

A Thursday Morning Treasure

2012-01-26T11:30:00.003-06:00

It's so easy to make me smile. To make my heart skip a beat and sigh, "oh, life...she's so beautiful." Tulips, of the prettiest shade of perfectly pink, are today's (and yesterday's....and tomorrow's) happy little pleasure. Today, I declare tulips my most favorite flower ever....and they are....until the next bouquet comes along and I fall in love with that flower too. So many lovely flowers out there....how could I ever choose a favorite? And a boyfriend who spots lovely tulips on a random Wednesday evening and thinks to himself, "Oh, Katie would love these..." well, he's a treasure too.

Color Love Explosion

2012-01-25T13:19:00.000-06:00

Sky Series Video from eric cahan on Vimeo.

Sky Series Video 2011 | Eric Cahan

Wordless Wednesday: Missing These Girls Lately

2012-01-25T11:08:00.001-06:00

You Could Read by the Light of Her Smile

2012-01-24T21:12:00.001-06:00

Me. Taken all those years ago, way back when, in the very early days of our relationship, when I knew I was falling head over heels in love with Joe, when I knew he was completely smitten with me, when I knew nothing but hope and possibility and romance and adventures and excitements.

Way back when, in northern Chicago on a deserted autumn beach, a horribly off-color joke (and nowhere near as wicked as they are now) had me both laughing and blushing at the same time, and I knew, even then, even in those very early days of a blossoming relationship, there was something special to be shared and enjoyed and savored between us. Just like I knew Chicago would somehow play a role in our futures and I knew, but didn't really understand, all the heartache and love and stress and strength that would come from three years of long distance love.

But even then, just as now, all it takes is an awful wicked joke or a wink or a kiss from Joe, and that radiant smile spreads across my face. Spreads may be too slowly....these smiles race. Already, I know (partly because I see the early signs) I'm going to have the most incredible smile lines on my face when I'm wrinkled and old. And I hope, oh how I hope, I am blessed with the kind of joy and happiness and love of life throughout all my days that allow me to smile so warmly, so genuinely, so all the way from the corners of my eyes to the tips of my toes, that you can always read by the light of my smile.

It's strange to put such a wish out into the universe, but I'm hoping it's like a wind-blown dandelion. That the seeds go skipping across the sky and spread even more happiness than when they stay safe in one little corner of the world.

A Need for Color

2012-01-23T14:19:00.002-06:00

My friends, I can't quite put my finger on it, but these days I want, I need, I crave color. Bright and bold. Cheerful. The happier, the better.

Don't get me wrong. I've always been a lover of color, but within my own life, I expected color to have some context. Perhaps a scarf with an all black outfit. Or just the slightest hint of green popping out under white and black sheets. Just a pop here and there.

But now? Oh, now, I dream in technicolor. No color is off limits. Just as long as it's cheerful and not at all muted. If it's muted, like our living room rug, I can no longer stand it. So much so, I've already dreamed up a mini-living room makeover based on the rich, vibrant blues and greens of a beloved picture from Scotland. Don't you think those blues and greens, with a pop or two of yellow, will make for a deliciously cozy and comforting and colorful living room?

Along with my need for color is my rediscovered appreciation for the simply beautiful. Simple, but strikingly beautiful. Like the lovely silver bird salt and pepper shakers which were gifted to Joe for Christmas, but that I love so much so they have a permanent place out on our table now. And floating flowers in little glass bowls in order to savor the blooms that much longer. And the lovely blue candles Joe gifted me for Christmas before I even knew how badly I wanted a living room full of those kinds of blues.

But my love and need for color is no longer restricted to our living room. My wardrobe seems to be undergoing a basic shift as well. I put a restriction on buying black clothes on myself. Right now, the only black items allowed to be purchased are to replace a basic. Every single clothing purchase I've made during these lovely season end clearance sales has been a color. Some brighter than others, but still color.

I shocked the hell out of myself the other night. I finally splurged on a purse I've been daydreaming about finding forever....which wasn't the surprise....the surprise is that instead of getting the purse in a lovely, but neutral, caramel brown color, I've ordered a bright, cheery yellow. I adore yellow. It is my favorite color, bar none. But I've never thought I'd order a yellow purse. I even had a mini panic attack after I ordered it - "oh my god...what have I done? when will I ever be able to wear a yellow purse?" - but after two breaths, I realized I was smiling giddily and daydreaming all the places this yellow purse and I will go on our adventures. And I know, deep down to my toes, Joe encouraged me to make the right decision. I already adore this yellow bag, and it hasn't even arrived yet.

I'm not sure where this newfound love of color is coming from. A reaction to the dreary winter days and lack of sunlight in our garden apartment? The rediscovered happy-go-lucky me who needs a wardrobe and home to match my reemerging cheery personality? I just don't know...but I adore the pops of color on a gloomy winter afternoon.

TGIF

2012-01-20T15:39:00.002-06:00

It's snowing again, finally....weather to match the season. It was a bit unnerving to have such warm, dry weather for as long as we did this year. I'm not always a fan of winter, but these cozy, lazy, snowy days where we have nowhere to be are definitely some of my favorites.

And there's nothing quite as magical as this city softened by the sight of snow.

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Tonight will find me curled up under at least one, but maybe more, of the 69752 blankets we have in this little apartment of ours, alternating between reading The Indian Clerk and The Night Circus and loving on Joe. A perfect little start to a quiet little weekend. Hope your weekend is happy!

Today I Am...

2012-01-19T22:07:00.001-06:00

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* I am craving color in the worst way. So much so that my recent craftiness has been all shades of colorful and so has my online shopping. Really colorful, if I'm honest, and well beyond my normal comfort zone.

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* I am so enchanted with the written word these days that I can't choose just one book to read at a time. I'm currently in the midst of three books, and eyeing starting a fourth because I'm too impatient to wait until I've finished one book before I start another.

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* I am in love with my dark navy blue toenails with cheerful sparkles painted over them. Just a fun little surprise peeking up at me when I'm not wearing a pair of Joe's woolen socks. (Also, I'm stealing Joe's socks because his are so much warmer and comfortably broken in than my own.)

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* I am proud of myself for the way I have combined previously learned talents with skills I am learning in this recent bout of craftiness. They've combined in such a beautiful way to create some pretty cool presents.

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* I am pleased with the way our home is really beginning to reflect both Joe and I instead of being just random things we both brought into the apartment. It really does make it a home.

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* I am once again obsessively weeding out things in our apartment. Having a tiny space makes it easier to limit what we have, but it always seems like something else replaces a donated item, and it doesn't take long before we're overflowing again.

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* I am planning a "no purchase" ban for February since I've been shopping more than I really needed to this month. I have no shopper's remorse, but I need some time away from the credit cards to ensure I continue to make smart, meaningful purchases rather than materialistic purchases.

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* I am ridiculously excited about several dear friends' upcoming weddings this year. These are marriages I strongly believe in and will support in every way possible for the rest of our lives. These are marriages that bring out the best in each half of the couple and will only create a strong, healthy partnership that weathers life's ups and downs incredibly well. And of course, I'm excited about celebrating the wedding and the bachelorette parties and all those little things that go hand in hand with weddings.

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* I am childishly excited about the prospect of more snow tomorrow. More snow, hopefully, and more chances for pretty snowfall pictures.

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* I am a big enough nerd to be absolutely fascinated with the stunning images posted daily on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day site, where all these lovelies came from. Absolutely fascinated.

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Staying Silent

2012-01-17T21:02:00.001-06:00

No post from me tomorrow in solidarity with protests against SOPA. Such an important cause.

Random Picture on a Tuesday Afternoon

2012-01-17T17:18:00.001-06:00

I've shared this picture before. But it's one of my favorite pictures of myself....which is great because it's also one of Joe's favorite pictures of me. So much so, he sweetly requested a framed copy for his desk at work as a Christmas present. And an extra copy is currently hanging on our walls as a placeholder until I get another picture of the two of us I like enough to frame. Not sure why I'm showing this random picture on a Tuesday, but I am because I like it and it makes me happy. That's reason enough, isn't it?

Happiness

2012-01-16T10:54:00.001-06:00

"For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

- Andy Rooney

A Sigh of Relief (And Good Health)

2012-01-13T12:31:00.002-06:00

I had a little scare at the end of 2011.

Enough to have me on pins and needles these early days of 2012.

But yesterday, I heard the great news: "All clear. No worries. Perfect health."

And so now, I can breathe easy again.

Rest assured that my thyroid is indeed functioning normally and there's no other hidden tumors developing in there.

I won't need the thyroid hormone replacement medications just yet. My levels are still within the normal range, so that's one less medication I have to worry about.

And now, instead, I can focus on the activities and foods that help keep my body healthy and strong. 2012 is shaping up to be an amazing year.

Snow, Snow, Snow

2012-01-12T15:43:00.004-06:00

Just a few snapshots of my walk this afternoon. It's the first real snowfall of the season here and we're expecting anywhere from four to ten inches of snow before the storm ends tomorrow. Poor Joe...he's going to have a rough commute home. But from my office window, it sure looks pretty!

Downton Abbey

2012-01-10T20:28:00.000-06:00

I am boring these days.

I have a little craft project or two up my sleeve which will be shared in due time.

But in most of my downtime these days, I'm on the couch watching season one of Downton Abbey.

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I started watching it in an attempt to find a show that wouldn't drive me crazy when Joe wasn't around to watch the good shows with me. And I tell you, I'm hooked. It's addicting!

Perseverance

2012-01-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

Just Live

2012-01-06T21:52:00.000-06:00

Just a few more thoughts on my chosen word for 2012: Live.

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Push yourself, dream, discover, feel, take charge.

Learn new skills, like sewing and dancing, make new friends but keep, really keep, the old, try new foods, dream more.

Use the good stuff that you were saving. Every day is special. Use the special things.

Live.

Love.

Laugh. Every day. Every single day.

Embrace the true you. Be you. The one who makes you happy.

Eat that chocolate. Bonus points if it's the really good stuff.

Worry less about others.

Say "YES!" more.

Be spontaneous. But listen to your body.

Talk to that stranger.

Find something that truly gives you pleasure. Indulge in a regular basis.

Turn the music up loud and dance. Really dance.

Know when to stop.....and when to push yourself.

Play hooky some time.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Marvel at that simple, every day miracle.

Say "thank you" and mean it.

Realize that the moments you remember most are not the ones spent sitting on the couch.

Live. Just live.

On Finding My Voice Again

2012-01-05T21:13:00.001-06:00

I struggled a bit this last year.

Felt a little lost and uncertain.

And that was okay.

I was, I am, so loved that I knew I was safe to lose my way a bit and still know I'd have love and gentle hands to help guide my way home.

As I got stronger, I got quieter again.

Started asking myself the real questions I'd tip-toed around a year ago. Started daydreaming big again. Started asking the "what ifs" and "just maybes" and daring to push the boundaries of the comfort zone I'd drawn in nice and tight around myself the last few years.

So much change and challenge, you don't really think about. You just push through and find ways to comfort yourself. But if you rely on that comfort zone too much, you begin to stifle yourself. It can become cloying.

And in my case, I lost myself a bit.

But I've found my way back.

Started remembering and embracing the me who made me so happy. Not the me that lived to make others happy. The real me.

But more than that. Listen closely, because this is big.

More than that, I started seeing how the me I was and the me I wanted to me have started to come together. So magically, it seems, but through honest hard work and realization.

How the "someday, maybe I'll be" has become "today, I am".

And that's so powerful. So breathtakingly powerful. It actually makes my heart ache with gladness.

So that down time.

That lost time.

That quiet time.

Was worth it. All worth it. I don't talk quite so much these days. But when I do, it's because I have something to say.

And when I have something to say, I now also have the skills to understand what I'm not saying either...and why. I can read between my own lines now.

Such a great skill.

I was always good at understanding others. What they do and don't say and why. But not so good at understanding myself.

But now, I do.

And I'm better for it. And my world is better for it.

Now I'm ready to talk again. Ready to share the little snippets of my life that make me pause and think. Make me live and feel.

And the greatest comfort of all was, is, knowing that I am so well loved that even when I lost my way, I was never truly lost. Never truly in danger. I had hands to reach out to when the going got rough or to push away when I needed to stand on my own or to hold onto when I just needed to be loved.

That's a special love there, my friends, I know it. And I love him for it, all the more.

I don't talk as much now, but my voice is stronger because I mean it when I have something to say.

All that, to simply say, "welcome back, my friends, to our regularly scheduled chats."

All pictures are bits and pieces of the grounds of my ancestral home.

Wednesday Wisdom: Privilege

2012-01-04T10:40:00.001-06:00

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A Resolution Review

2011-12-30T11:51:00.002-06:00

I may or may not do a year in review post like so many others. I haven't decided yet. It sounds good in theory, but if I'm honest, there's other things that are taking priority in my every day life right now. Like sewing, and making the most delicioius lemon meringue drops (only 5 freaking calories for such deliciousness!), and snuggling on the couch with Joe while we watch countless episodes of whatever tv show we choose for the day.

But, I do interupt my holiday celebrations and post-celebration relaxation to revisit a very important post from this last year.

In the beginning of 2011, I wrote that instead of a resolution per se, I was setting a word that would guide me through the year. "Gentle," I said.

My rationale was that I had become much too hard on myself. And I needed the reminder to be gentle with myself.

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Truth be told, I struggled. Oh yes, I definitely struggled with this over the year.

But, my friends, I couldn't have picked a better goal for myself. Because today, looking back, I am in a much healthier, happier, and more confident frame of mind now than I was a year ago. And that tells me, I knew myself very well when I chose the word "gentle" last year.

I have learned how to reach out and ask for help.

How to talk and express my feelings instead of bottling it all up inside.

How to become comfortable, again, with solitude. This I really struggled with after so much time spent with others and suddenly working from home in a new city with a love who was busy with his own life. But I found friends and hobbies and contentment again with alone time.

I have learned I don't have to be perfect.

That I'm happiest when I am me. Not what others expect of me.

That life is too precious not to do what makes me happy. If that means dressing up to work at home, or sneaking away from my desk during the work day for leisurely lunch with a girlfriend, or crawling into bed early to finish the latest can't put down book (The Wishing Trees by John Shors), or convincing Joe we need to go out for a drink at midnight on a Wednesday, or ignoring housework for time on the beach, I'm going to do it. Chores can wait. It all gets done in the end.

*-*-*

I have made strides in putting my health first. Physically, emotionally, mentally, and in relationships.

I have taken care of a long term health issue (my thyroid) and am continuing to have it monitored on my way back to health.

I have finally reached out and asked for help with the adult acne that drives me nuts.

I have rejoined a gym, started working out regularly, and am taking a few gym classes to help my physical and mental well-being.

I have acknowledged my feelings, my right to feel those emotions, and tried to understand why I feel that way at that time.

Which in turn, has led to a healthier, stronger me......and that translates into a healthier, stronger, happier we.

Joe and I have had our ups and downs this year too, but I'd confidently say we're in a great spot now too because I am so much happier and stronger and confident again.

*-*-*

I have achieved several financial goals this year. And, instead of being upset with myself for not reaching all of my financial goals, I've been gentle enough with myself to be content with setting myself up to achieve the remaining goals in the next year.

I have begun the process of really and truly simplifying my life.

By shopping less. By desiring less possessions and more experiences and time.

By donating goods that can find better homes elsewhere.

By slowly moving towards adopting the "is it useful and/or beautiful" mantra before I decide to bring something else home.

By reassessing things in our home and finding better ways to make our home work for us.

And my dreams?

Oh, my dreams.

They may not be the same "save the world. be a rock star. achieve insant overnight success." grandiose dreams anymore.

But I dreamed plenty this year.

And I achieved.

I took pottery lessons.

I saw the family castle in Scotland. Even if it's in ruins.

I went sailing with Joe at sunset.

I rediscovered my love of photography.

And I've dreamed some more dreams that will slowly but surely come true. Perhaps one or two wide-eyed, hopeful dreams as well.

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So, my friends, even if 2011 wasn't my most extraordinary year ever. Even if the downs seemed to last longer than the ups. Even if my successes were a little closer to home and chest than in years past. I'd say 2011 was a success overall. I came so far from the girl who wrote this post this time last year, for the better.

And I'm excited to see what treasures 2012 will bring! Because this year's resolution word will be simply to "live." And in, "live every day of your life."

Happy New Year my friends!

In the Words of Bing Crosby

2011-12-23T12:39:00.003-06:00

"May your days be merry and bright......and may all your Christmases be white."

Snippets of Christmas

2011-12-22T16:25:00.001-06:00

When I was little, these guys were always up in Grandma's house. Now that Grandma lives with my parents, they're in my parents' house.

And sweet, naive, little me....it took me way too many years to understand just why they more often rearranged in this way...

The Real Reason for the Season

2011-12-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

Regardless of what your faith is or what you believe in, in the midst of this holiday season, lets all try to take a moment to remember the real reason for the season we're in the midst of celebrating.

Love.

Laughter.

Cheer.

Kindness.

Joy.

Friends.

Smiles.

Family.

Happiness.

Magic.

And when we look at it this way, suddenly it doesn't matter anymore if you don't find the perfect gift or if you still have more errands to run or if your planned cookies end up more on the floor than in the stove. There's a glow in all our hearts, and that's what makes the darkest days of winter glow so warm and bright.

From my heart to yours, whatever you celebrate, I hope it is very merry and full of laughter and love.

Wordless Wednesday: Chicago at Christmas

2011-12-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

This Season is About Becoming

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

Orkney Islands, Scotland.

This is the thing: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide. You can see very clearly two kinds of people. On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find … themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults. Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might. They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one. They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. … they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party. But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated.

Don’t be like that. Don’t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal.

Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? … Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time. Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe … life is a grand adventure. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.

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Homemade Holiday Gift

2011-12-12T18:22:00.001-06:00

This is what I spent my weekend finishing. I'm definitely a beginner and there's still lots for me to learn, but I think it came out quite well. Isn't it darling? SO excited to give it to the lucky gal on Christmas!

Life

2011-12-07T11:35:00.001-06:00

Life gets in the way sometimes of all the little things I plan to say or do on this sweet little blog of mine.

Life is messy and real. It can be complicated and stressful. It can be sweet and endearing. It can be challenging and empowering.

And right now, we're in the midst of several stressors. External ones. So I'm trying my best to keep the stress from becoming too overwhelming. And doing my best to keep up the holiday cheer to bring smiles to both our faces.

But rest assured, when the stories are done, I'll be sure to share them. Some will help on a practical level for others to know as well. Some will just help to celebrate. But they will be shared when the time is right. And in the meantime, be aware, I may be a bit too tired to share as much as I'd like.

Friday Randoms

2011-12-02T10:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen a baby giraffe run? So adorable.

A great consideration of what makes you beautiful.

An older piece, but a message worth sharing: you are not crazy.

It's time. Oh yes, it is.

Welcome December!

2011-12-01T10:58:00.001-06:00

Alternatively, it's the most magical time of the year!

Or, if I'm being honest after looking at these pictures, the snowmen are here. (Apparently we've accumulated a lot of snowman items for Christmas decorations....)

The little light-up snowglobe snowman will be gifted to Grandma, especially after her excitement over the ghost one I gave her for Halloween.

The perfect-sized tree for apartment living. And look! There's a present under the tree already!

He makes me smile. And he makes the apartment smell like Christmas because he's also a candle (soon to be turned candy dish once the candle part is finished and cleaned out.)

And this year, even our fridge got into the Christmas spirit thanks to some Frosty magnets gifted to us by Mama Mac.

A little bits of cheer, because, after all, how can you not smile when you surround yourself with cozy lights, sweet smelling candles, and smiling snowmen?

Wordless Wednesday: Chicago Love

2011-11-30T09:13:00.001-06:00

Thankful For: The Memories

2011-11-29T19:18:00.001-06:00

This Thanksgiving weekend was spent in Michigan and some sweet memories left me so incredibly thankful for the magic of making them and for the wonder and pleasure remembering will bring me for years to come.

I finally got to introduce Joe to the simple pleasures of a day trip to Frankenmuth, complete with a family-style chicken dinner, a stop in Bronner's (we got several goodies to add to our Christmas decorations), and a horse and carriage ride around town.

And while we were in Frankenmuth, Joe and I decided to try a bottle of Michigan wine. Can you believe it? I grew up in Michigan, but had never tried a wine from Michigan. We shared the bottle with my parents, and most surprisingly of all, with my Grandma. I've never had a drink with Grandma before, so this was a special memory for me. Making a sweet weekend even sweeter. And truth be told, I liked the wine. It was a bit sweet, but I prefer sweet wines. Michigan's grapes and cherrries are grown in the Traverse Bay area and are some of the sweetest in the world, no lie. If a bottle of Michigan wine crosses your path, enjoy it!

Some Breathtaking Beauty to Start Your Week

2011-11-28T11:06:00.000-06:00

Love

2011-11-23T07:22:00.001-06:00

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday spreading warmth and cheer and love all around, take a minute and read this. Have a happy Thanksgiving, full of love and good cheer!

Us

2011-11-22T13:45:00.001-06:00

Joe just sent me an email, linking to this page.

His email says, "The last one made me think of us."

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I think he might be right about that. This whole strip looks just like the two of us. It's adorable.

Celebrate the Little Things

2011-11-22T13:10:00.001-06:00

Peeps, if you know me by now, you know that I'm a big believer in celebrating the little things.

Case in point?

Tonight Joe wraps up a phenomenally successful semester.

So to celebrate, I've purchased him a bottle of his favorite liquor and some soda as a mixer.

Such a little moment, such a little reward, but absolutely still worth celebrating.

Keep that in mind as we head into the holiday season!

Friday Few

2011-11-18T10:25:00.001-06:00

Just a few links you should check out if you have time:

Never seen this before, but amazingly cool.

The Hidden World of Girls. On NPR. I am becoming addicted.

The Nice Girls.

Surprise Dates

2011-11-17T07:51:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned a while back, I planned a surprise date for Joe and I for our four year anniversary. (Gosh, time really does fly, doesn't it?)

And the biggest surprise of it all was, I managed to keep it a secret from Joe until we were standing right in front of our date venue.

Sure, I may have doled out a few hints along the way....."it's four hours long"......."and we need to bring three bottles of wine"......but I kept it a secret.

A half-off Yelp deal helped make this an affordable date night out for a special occasion.

Our venue? None other than Cook Au Vin in Bucktown for a French cooking lesson.

Our menu? The Vuitton Menu:

Starter: Coquille Saint Jacques

Lutees live scallop filled with Mornay sauce and julienned vegetables.

Finished product.

What it looked like on the inside. Yum!

Entree: Poulet Chasseur

Sauteed chicken cooked in a mushroom, white wine, Cognac, and tomato sauce.

Side: Tournee Vegetables

Seasonable vegetables cut to have precisely seven faces, cooked to perfection, served with decadent sauce.

Desert: Far Breton

Traditional prune cake from Brittany.

When we arrived, the table was set and appetizers of French butter, rosemary goat cheese, brie, and chorizio were set out alongside freshly baked bread for us to snack on as we cooked.

I've heard reports of French butter being far superior to American crap, and let me tell you, SO true. I loved the butter.

There were three other couples plus the charming chef. We learned things like how to roast garlic, how to perfectly roast a red pepper, that smart kitchen prep involves starting with cleanest to dirtiest (translation: prep the chicken last - you won't have to worry about contamination and you skip the need for multiple cutting boards/knives).

We learned how to set things on fire, how to properly juilenne vegetables, and what oils to use. How to look cute in dorky hats, how wine makes everything better, and just how much the French really do love their butter (holy cow!).

The food was amazing. The fun of the meal was in the prepwork. And I'd call our anniversary date a success!

Wordless Wednesday: Lincoln Park Conservatory

2011-11-16T09:59:00.001-06:00

Today's Must Read: Climbing Kilimanjaro

2011-11-15T13:28:00.001-06:00

Please, take some time today and read this. People amaze me.

KtMac Reviews: The Tiger's Wife

2011-11-14T12:36:00.000-06:00

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Author: Tea Obreht

The Good: The author definitely weaves a tale that seems to bring in the richness and variety of cultures I experienced in my all too brief trips to the Balkans.

The Bad: Unfortunately, the story wasn't well woven and it was often confusing as to which character was telling what story when. I couldn't follow the storyline at all, and was barely surprised when the story seemed to just end as if the author ran out of steam to keep writing.

The Verdict: Not often I say this, but skip. Absolutely skip.

Alive

2011-11-14T09:01:00.001-06:00

Alive.

Yes, yes I am.

I didn't mean to disappear last week. My laptop power cord died.

But my boyfriend is a magician and magically ordered me a replacement cord for the cost of $5 and lots of kisses. So I'm back.

With stories to tell, oh yes.

Stories of successful surprise dates and weekends with friends and thoughts swirling around my pretty little head and of books read and wishes to extend.

So, be ready my friends. Stories are coming.

Stories that celebrate the simple, every day magic of being alive.

In Your Arms

2011-11-07T09:02:00.000-06:00

Happy little video to start the week off right:

Thanks to Tiger for sharing this sweet video with me!

Happy Weekend!

2011-11-04T12:23:00.001-05:00

It's been a morning, my friends, and only been the slightest bit bearable because it's almost the weekend.

I have a surprised date planned out for Joe and I on Saturday afternoon as our anniversary gift. The biggest part of the surprise is that I haven't spilled the beans yet. If you know me, you know how impossible it is for me to keep a secret when it comes to gift-giving. Stay tuned for details!

Then we have lunch plans with Joe's like a sister friend from his Peace Corps days in Albania. I adore this sassy, spunky girl and can't wait to hear about her new Peace Corps adventures in Morocco.

And I'm sure there'll be some time spent cuddling on the couch with hot chocolate and the brothers Crane. Our three shared addictions of the moment.

But also some down time apart. Joe playing computer games and/or working on homework. Me working on holiday cheer and starting the massive task of cleaning out and organizing my photo database. I've requested an external hard drive, but I need to do my homework before we can seriously talk about it. No need to just shift junk to a new storage location.

Plus, I know I have so many more great pictures to share. Like these, scenes of Chicago, all taken from the L as it made its way around the Loop and back north towards home.

I look at these pictures. Just taken on a whim. Just to play with my camera and amuse myself, since I'm still so outdated that I don't have a smartphone. And I realize, this sweet city of mine, it really captures my heart. Second only to Joe, of course.

There's just something about this city that lets me know, no matter where life may take us, we'll always have a home here. The door will stay open and the lights are waiting. It's a blessing, really, to know you have somewhere where you'll always belong.

And that little glow will keep my heart warm throughout the ugly winter that weathermen are promising us again this year. But it's Chicago, and the Midwest....every winter is ugly. Somehow, I don't mind. After all, I've got Joe and hot chocolate. Who could ask for anything more?

Rainy Afternoon Blues

2011-11-03T15:11:00.000-05:00

Adding a little pop of color in an otherwise dreary rainy afternoon.

Thoughts on Gratitude

2011-11-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

These thoughts are swirling around my head these days. Bumping past each other, colliding, spiraling off into new tangents.

And what I've realized is so simple, but yet, somehow, so profound.

I am happiest when I have wonder and gratitude actively living in my daily life.

For you see, for me, wonder and gratitude go hand-in-hand.

When I wonder with amazement at the small things in my life, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude to be lucky enough to be here, right now, right here, right in this moment to experience that small wonder.

And when the gratitude and wonder bubble out, my happy heart is full to bursting. I find contentment and peace in that moment. And in peace, I find happiness.

Which makes me pause.

Why is it so easy for the every day to become so mundane?

Why is it so easy to forget the magic of these little moments?

Why is it so hard to always remember to be grateful for life and its little surprises?

Why don't I live life this way all the time?

So now, I am. I am trying to be mindful of the little things and the happiness they bring me. Of the moments where my heart is so full, I think it will just burst. And of how happy those moments make me when they turn into memories.

And I tell you, my friends, my little heart finds itself full-to-bursting so easily these days. Life really is magical.

Wordless Wednesdays: Autumn Sky

2011-11-02T09:05:00.000-05:00

Trying something new for Wednesdays.

KtMac Confessions: Katie the Koala

2011-11-01T11:26:00.002-05:00

This year's Halloween costume came from a childhood nickname.

Which started with the gift of a sweet stuffed koala puppet when I was a wee, little thing. I even found a picture of her in her heyday. If I were to dig her out of my parents' attic now, Katie the Koala would look quite a bit different. She was much loved, to say the least.

Okay, okay. Enough gushing over the cuteness that was the wee Mac kids back in the day. Here....do you see Katie the Koala yet?

This picture was taken on a family vacation to Mammoth Caves when I was about seven, Dan was maybe two, and Pat, chubby bubby baby he was, was only three or four months old. (Yes, he was so chubby at birth I couldn't even hold him). Katie the Koala got her own suitcase full of doll clothes for the trip. I think the dress she had on in this picture was stolen from a Cabbage Patch Kid.

One random night, I confessed to Joe that Katie the Koala had her own little song. And somehow, Katie the Koala came back in vogue as a suitable nickname for me.

Katie the koala, lives up in a tree.

Katie the koala, eats eucalyptus leaves.

Katie the koala, has sharp, sharp toes.

Katie the koala, has a big black nose.

That's how, twenty years later, I became Katie the koala for Halloween. And yes, I did sing the Katie the Koala song many times on our way out the door. I think Joe has it memorized now.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T09:46:00.000-05:00

As you can see, Joe and I went wild for Halloween this year!

Joe the giraffe.

Katie the koala!

Hope your Halloween was wild too!

Halloween Hint

2011-10-30T16:19:00.002-05:00

Joe and I went wild for Halloween this year!

I Didn't Realize

2011-10-27T07:25:00.001-05:00

Four years ago today was a Saturday.

Forever etched in my mind now.

I woke up early in DC to meet my favorite person at the airport.

After months of promises and failed plans, I was so excited to be reuniting with my favorite person.

I didn't realize.

We laughed and hugged at the exit.

We headed to my apartment to wake up my roommate and convince her to join us for pancakes at the hole-in-the-wall diner down the street.

Then the two of us wandered into Chinatown to check out the International Spy Museum. And while we waited for our turn to pretend to be spies, we had a lunchtime cocktail or two as we laughed and caught up on the past.

I really didn't realize.

Later, after I showed off my emerging culinary skills, my roommate and I took forever, as girls are wont to do, getting dressed up in our various costumes for Halloween dancing that night.

And he, being a guy, just couldn't understand why we were taking so damn long. So, as a distraction, I gave him a gift I'd had sitting, all wrapped up, on my shelf for almost a year.

No, I didn't realize.

Since the gift was supposed to be a distraction while we primped, I gave it to him and bounced out of the room, but what he didn't know was that I kind of stood around the corner, looking just enough to see his reaction as he unwrapped it.

His gift was a framed copy of this picture.

And even still, I didn't realize.

I waited a beat or two and walked back in the room and he hugged me. Really hugged me. One of my favorite kind of hugs. I still didn't realize.

He tried to kiss me.

I walked out of the room.

Oh, oh yes, I did. I walked out of the room.

I realized then.

Whether I wanted it to or not, everything was changing in those moments. He was my favorite person. He made me laugh and feel beautiful and brilliant and completely at ease with myself. We were friends. And I knew, right then and there, if we kissed, our friendship would change.

I didn't know if I wanted to take that risk. What if we kissed and it wasn't good? What if we didn't work out? Would we regret it?

And half a heartbeat later, I realized, I really realized, I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to take that risk. Because knowing is better than wondering.

So I turned around and walked back into the room.

He looked up and smiled.

And we kissed.

Oh, we kissed.

And we haven't stopped since.

He still is my favorite person. He makes me laugh and feel beautiful and brilliant and completely at ease with myself. We are best friends. We are in love with each other. We fit together.

It's been four years since that night we first kissed, dressed as Mark Antony and Cleopatra and went out dancing with Little Red Riding Hood, and a Pirate, and a Cat.

It's been four years full of planes and buses and trains between Chicago and DC and Michigan and the Republic of Georgia and Albania. It's been years of Skype dates and curling up on the couch cuddled next to each other under blankets in Albania and Chicago. It's been years of cheating at dominoes and scheming about the puppy we'll get someday and convincing each other to eat that last bite of chocolate. It's been years of sleeping better together and early morning sleepy kisses before work and school.

It's been four years of magic and mundane. Of fights and laughter. Of certainty and uncertainty. Of challenges - countless challenges.

But it's been four years, together, in love.

It hasn't always been easy, but it has always been worth it. It really has been worth it all. I really do realize that now.

My Love, I can't wait to see what the future brings. Just as long as we're side by side. And kissing each other.

Wednesday Wisdom: Irreplaceable

2011-10-26T09:51:00.000-05:00

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KtMac Confessions: Someday

2011-10-25T11:52:00.003-05:00

Someday, and I really do mean this, I want to see the Northern Lights in person.

*-*-*

NASA's view of the Aurora Borealis over the Midwest last night.

Bottom three taken in Norway.

Someday, I really will see such beauty for myself.

These Are the Moments

2011-10-24T08:08:00.005-05:00

We spent the weekend in the suburbs, visiting Joe's parents.

It was a quiet, lazy weekend. Aside from a memorial service (our real reason for heading out to the suburbs), the weekend was mostly cuddles and snoozes and recovering from a fall cold (poor Joe) and eating way too much.

But in the midst of all that, there were a few perfectly precious moments that I didn't want to ever end.

The feel of the down comforter against my skin as we took a lazy Saturday afternoon nap. The sun streaming in the windows and the feel of Joe's chest rising and falling.

But mostly, the perfect moments were the long train ride back into the city. Squeezed in sideways on the seat so I could snuggle against Joe's shoulder, his arm around me, his jacket serving as a blanket, as I watched the world clickety-clackedty by through half-lidded eyes...partly to protect against the late autumn afternoon sunlight, but also from drowsiness. The feel of my hair and Joe's skin against my cheek and the sun warming my knees. And the contentedness that comes from knowing this is a perfect moment filled with nothing but love. I never wanted that train ride to end, even when I lost feeling in both feet from the awkward angle.

And because I have such a romantic little heart, it never will end....it will live on in my heart forever, joining all those other little perfect moments where I thought "I could not ask for more than this moment, right here, right now."

Such a treasure. I really do love this man.

Pictures taken by Joe's Mom on our Sunday afternoon stroll along the river.

Wonder and Awe

2011-10-21T09:33:00.001-05:00

The ever-changing beauty of the sky always fills me with wonder and awe and this incredible sense of peace and sheer joy of being alive. Water does the same, but the sky, the sky is everywhere I go.

Little Surprise, Big Happiness

2011-10-19T11:42:00.001-05:00

I woke up early today.

Correction. I woke up on time, and actually got out of bed when the alarm went off instead of snoozing until Joe came back into the room to get dressed for work.

So I tucked a little surprise in Joe's work bag this morning.

He found it.

And now, I'm happy he's happy. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Running a Little Slow

2011-10-19T11:30:00.001-05:00

This morning I was thinking about all the blog posts I want to write, but haven't had the proper time for lately.

And I thought to myself, "Next month, when October starts, I'll make it a mission to post at least once a day and get my stories out."

Despite writing out today's date several times since then, it took until justnow for me to realize we're already 19 days into October.

Yeesh.

Wednesday Wisdom: Every Day

2011-10-19T10:26:00.000-05:00

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Today's Absolute Must-Read

2011-10-14T15:12:00.000-05:00

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Beautiful Imperfection by Healthy is the New Skinny. Read and think. Really think. About how you see yourself as a woman. And how society views you. And you view other women. Really think.

Then have a great Friday afternoon!

Heat

2011-10-14T08:11:00.003-05:00

You guys....the heat came on in our building this morning!

This is a big deal.

Our heat is included in rent (fairly common in Chicago, and a definite cost savings in winter), but that means the landlord controls when it's turned on/off for the year.

Last year, it wasn't turned on until late November.

That mean lots of cold fingers and blue noses during the day as I struggled to find a way to type and keep my fingers warm.

I've been dreading the coming drop in temperatures for the past month.

But.

It rained all day yesterday. And then the temperatures dropped dramatically overnight. It made for a chilly morning. I was sitting here shivering, trying not to use a blanket because I'd just get colder as the day went on, but when I got up for more water, I realized there were warm spots in the apartment.

And just like that, I'm now comfortable in my tank top and long sleeved shirt. That means I won't lose feeling in my fingers today.

Yay!

Full Moon Fire Jam

2011-10-12T08:52:00.001-05:00

On Chicago beaches, under the clouded light of the full moon, pyromaniacs and light fans alike gather to jam, dancing with lights and fire to the drumbeats.

My favorite picture.

3 Little Realizations from Last Night:

1. I want a tripod.

2. As cool as it would be, it really wouldn't be a good idea for graceless, uncoordinated little ole' me to start dancing with fire.

3. I love Chicago. I do. I really, really do.

{Edit: Make that four realizations.....I will always be that girl with the camera....}

Wednesday Wisdom: Too Much

2011-10-12T08:12:00.000-05:00

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An Adult, But I Won't Grow Up!

2011-10-10T14:31:00.001-05:00

Blergh.

No denying I'm definitely an adult.

Silver grey strands in my hair.

Actually wanting a budget.

Being more excited about the possibility of grocery shopping than the possibility of drinks tonight.

But, but, but!

I wouldn't be the KtMac you all know and love if I didn't also admit that I actually woke up this morning with the lyrics to Peter Pan's "I Won't Grow Up" running through my head.

I won't grow up.

I don't wanna go to school.

Just to learn to be a parrot.

And recite some silly rule.

Oh, Chicago

2011-10-10T11:06:00.004-05:00

These are the days I fell in love with you. Just a little year ago. Can you believe? And now those magical days are back and I fall all over again for the magic of the city lights and the fall colors and the leaves just dropping from the sky and the smell of cozy home fires juxtaposed with the noise of city traffic and horns. Oh, Chicago - how did I ever think anywhere else could ever be home for this girl?

Little Things, Big Smiles

2011-10-07T14:56:00.002-05:00

TGIF Peeps!

I leave you on this happy, sunny, ridiculously warm Friday afternoon with the smile I got when Grandma found the little Halloween surprise I'd wrapped up and left on her dresser before heading home to Chicago last weekend.

Such a silly little light up ghost, such a happy smile. Just a little reminder that it's the little things that make life big after all.

Michigan in Motion

2011-10-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, I spent not even two full days in Michigan. And even though it was all just a blur, the color was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Now can you see why I miss my Michigan so much in autumn?

Night Time is Silly Time

2011-10-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

Joe and I usually have typical end of the day conversations as we wind down for the night and get ready for bed and fall asleep. But every so often, our conversation takes a turn towards the funny side because of sleepiness or because I've already taken out my hearing aid and am guessing at what Joe is saying. There's a few recurring themes in our bedtime talks (clearly). Some are too funny to be forgotten:

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KtMac: "Because I'm sassy..."

Joe: "That's right. I love my sassy...and gassy...girl."

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Shortly after my thyroid surgery...

Joe rubs my leg, then my arm, then my leg again

KtMac: "Yes, yes, I know. They're hairy. It's not easy shaving when you're restricted to taking baths..."

Two days later...

Joe: "What I was trying to tell you the other night is that you had goosebumps."

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Playing with Hubert, the stuffed bear I won for myself at the fair:

KtMac: Hubert wants cuddles too! Arf! Arf!
Joe: Hubert's a bear!
KtMac: I know! Garf! Garf!
Joe: .......

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KtMac: You know that even when I can't hear you, I still know when you're farting in bed. I feel it or smell it.
Joe: Well, last night I swore your phone was on vibrate in the bed somewhere from all your farts!

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KtMac: My juicy melons.
Joe: You snore, you fart, you call your boobs "melons," yep, you're turning into a boy alright.
KtMac: A dangerous side effect of living with you for a year.

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But no matter what the conversational topic or how sleepy we may be, we always end the day with a few laughs, some cuddles, and sweet dream wishes.

And even now, more than a year later, I still pinch myself to make sure I'm lucky enough to drift off to sleep with Joe by my side instead of 6,000 miles between us.

Wednesday Wisdom: It's Simple

2011-10-05T07:34:00.004-05:00

Best words of advice ever, right here.

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KtMac Confessions: Lucky Joe

2011-10-04T21:02:00.000-05:00

Joe has classes Tuesday nights this fall.

I decided early on that Tuesday nights were my baking nights.

Lucky Joe.

He gets to come home to freshly baked treats after class each week.

This week, because it's so nice outside and I took a long, long walk, I opted for a classic but quick goody: rice krispie treats.

And because it's almost halloween and because I'm a bit of a dork, I even dyed it orange to make it more festive.

How Arguments Usually Sound in Our House

2011-10-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Fall Y'all!

2011-10-03T11:37:00.000-05:00

It's the start of my favorite month.

And to celebrate, I needed some festive colors.

Friday Afternoon Smiles

2011-09-30T14:45:00.000-05:00

Because, how could you not smile at a hedgehog cuddling a raspberry? Happy Friday!

Simply September: Making Home Work

2011-09-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest, but most important challenges for me this month was looking at our apartment and our habits over the past year and finding new solutions to make our home work a little better for us. More simply and easily.

That involved moving things around inside the three tiny closets we have, weeding out some excess, and inventing new ways to store items.

One concrete example is this coat rack behind our front door. Last year, Joe and I were horrible about hanging up our winter jackets - preferring to just toss them on the couch as we walked in. But then we'd shove them on the banquet or the table when we needed the couch and inevitably one or both us of would be searching for our jacket or a glove or something.

So I bought a coat rack and reappropriated a basket from elsewhere and now we have a better way to be lazy. It's so much easier to just toss a coat on the rack instead of putting it away in the closet, but we're not moving it everywhere and our hats and gloves and scarves are all ready and waiting.

Simply September: Cleaning out the Clutter

2011-09-29T14:36:00.003-05:00

This is embarrassing.

But over the last year, our office/guest room/laundry drying room/junk storage room just got out of control. And when I'm working, I don't have the luxury of time to waste on cleaning, so a lot of it just got ignored for far too long.

This is what it looked like at the beginning of the month. No joke.

Projects and messes and junk just everywhere. It made for some chaotic work days. And was not making life simple or easy for either one of us.

I don't have true after pictures just yet because we're currently drying some laundry from last night in here and I don't air our clean laundry in blogland. But here's some progress mid-way through the month. The piles on the floor are items being given to new loving homes.

But there's room to breathe now. And trust me, it won't always stay picture perfect, but it's a lot more organized and user-friendly.

KtMac Reviews: I'd Know You Anywhere

2011-09-29T11:39:00.000-05:00

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Author: Laura Lippman

The Good: The novel is intriguing. It follows Eliza Benedict in modern day as she unravels her understanding of her past, including the traumatic kidnapping she endured, the strange "relationship" she had with her kidnapper, and her undeniable sense of survivor's guilt.

The Bad: It is melancholy, but otherwise, seems to be in line with the behaviors and thought processes I would guess a survivor of a kidnapping would display. Especially given her desire to leave the past in the past.

The Verdict: I recommend. It's not a light-hearted beach read, but it is definitely worth reading.

Simply September: Back to Basics

2011-09-28T14:53:00.000-05:00

One of the the new habits I picked up this month was a basic one.

Instead of paying for expensive moisturizer with a list of suspicious-sounding ingredients, I began using just a little bit of coconut oil after I wash my face twice a day.

Just pick up a jar of coconut oil. It solidifies a bit in colder weather, but will melt quickly enough when rubbed against your skin. Simply use just a tiny amount and massage into your face.

And honestly, your skin will thank you.

I've already seen a dramatic difference in both the reduction of the number of breakouts I have and in how dewy soft my skin is. I definitely have combination skin - dry cheeks and an incredibly oily t-zone. And while it seems contradictory to put more oil on already oily skin, it's actually beneficial - your skin stops producing so much oil once you start routinely using the coconut oil.

Additionally, a tablespoon or two dropped in the bathwater leaves your skin silky soft for several days (just make sure you clean the tub out afterwards - no slips and spills!) or use the coconut oil any time you'd use butter or olive oil in the kitchen for a healthy alternative.

So simple. So good.

Wednesday Wisdom: Anne Shirley

2011-09-28T10:00:00.003-05:00

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KtMac Confessions: Relationship Realities

2011-09-27T19:31:00.000-05:00

It's fairly typical - the longer you're in a relationship, the more comfortable you become. You don't watch what you eat in front of each other. You fart. You choose sleep over other activities. And you get to the point where you wear your comfortable pjs and show your true colors.

Poor Joe. I really think we've been dating entirely too long now. We've not only gotten to that point...we've sailed right on past it.

Tonight, I just can't decide if he's a poor bastard or a lucky bastard to get to come home to me after classes.

Why?

Because when I got home following a downpour this evening, I opted for cozy as I putter around our little apartment.

And let's just say, my Polish side is showing its true colors. Loudly.

Why yes. Every fashionable KtMac sports a grey t-shirt, green plaid pj shorts, and grey and pink and green striped knee socks. At least I have greys and greens in common?

Aww hell. I'm just going to call Joe a poor bastard for having to come home to this sight.
And maybe, just maybe, I'll actually change before he gets home.

Pasted on the Wall Above My Desk

2011-09-27T15:49:00.002-05:00

An old birthday card cover from a friend who makes you believe you can pull the stars down and wear them as a necklace for no other reason than because she believes in you that strongly. It's been a few years, but I still adore that card.....and that girl.

How to Work on Dreary Afternoons...

2011-09-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

The best cure for a dreary Monday afternoon?

A cuppa lemon tea in a sweetly sentimental mug (really, the sentiments behind it are so sweet, they'd make your teeth ache), and the smell of a deliciously yummy almond candle.

Simply September: Healthy Eats

2011-09-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

Last week was a great week. But, oh, my friends, let me tell you, it certainly wasn't a simple week. We had a steady stream of visitors to our little apartment, complete with three different overnight guests (not all at once) for seven consecutive nights. Which translated into a lot of meals out, showing off the best food the Windy City has to offer. There was deep-dish pizza, tilapia sliders, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, to-die-for risotto, pastries, breakfasts at the bakery, dumpling soup, s'mores (for our out of country guest), thai food, and burgers.

And for a couple who doesn't eat out often, that's an awful lot of eating out in such a short time. Our waistlines and our budgets were definitely feeling the impact. Mostly our waistlines.

So, to get back on track with homemade meals and healthy eating (and a smarter food budget), Joe and I are eating solely vegetarian meals for the week. And honestly, with a little meal planning, it's really simple to eat vegetarian for a week.

Breakfasts: bagels with cream cheese, smoothies, cereal and milk (all of which we already had)

Lunch: PBNJ, soups

Dinners: (Supported by an awesome farmers' market trip) mushroom risotto with squash, vegetarian pasta, fish with corn and rice, veggie stir-fry, roasted vegetables.

So we'll end this month with some simple eating. So delicious, so good for you.

On What Makes A Home

2011-09-23T11:06:00.002-05:00

What makes this house a home:

- Flowers on the kitchen table and green plants on the windowsill

- Stubble in the bathroom sink and an occasional long strand of hair in the shower

- A half-made, mostly messy bed where nightly blanket battles occur

- Photographs of memories on the wall instead of artwork (and cracks in the ceiling)

- An air mattress that gets blown up, slept on, packed away, and pulled out again, over and over, for the steady stream of friends who visit

- A well-worn couch with designated "his and hers" spots, beat-up pillows, and a wool plaid blanket

- A hodge-podge of family and friends smiling out from amid the beloved books

- Old bedsheets from the seventies that are used for the beach and impromptu picnics

- The smell of whatever candle is burning that day, mixed in with my choice of perfume for the day

- Piles of pillows and loads of blankets everywhere

- Piles of dirty clothes on the bedroom floor when the hamper threatens to overflow
- Friends who know they'll leave with one too many glasses of wine in their bellies and genuine smiles on their faces

- Abandoned shoes in every corner

- Knowing that the glasses in the sink may sit there a day or two

It is not a picture perfect house. Good Housekeeping or Better Homes and Gardens will never feature our home on their covers. A clean house will always be abandoned in favor of extra snuggles on the couch. But it is the imperfections that make this house a perfect home. Full of coziness, and warmth, and laughter, and love. Lots and lots of love.

Wednesday Wisdom: I Adore You

2011-09-21T08:33:00.003-05:00

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KtMac Reviews: One Day

2011-09-16T15:56:00.003-05:00

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Author: David Nicholls

The Good: An interesting look at a friendship spanning 20 years by looking at the friends and their lives every year on the same date. I liked the reality of how the friendship isn't always easily explained and waxes and wanes as the years go by -- very accurate, even in my own life when I look at the enduring friendships.

The Bad: It is incredibly realistic in the heartaches and compromises so many of us want to avoid but end up making as time goes by. I appreciated the realism, but it did prevent me from just relaxing and enjoying the read.

The Verdict: If you're curious, it won't hurt to read, but I wasn't enamored with it. I had high hopes based on all the reviews, but it was just too melancholy for me to really enjoy. I probably will check out the Anne Hathway movie of the same title once it's on Netflix out of curiosity though.

Simply September: Cleaning the Cupboards

2011-09-15T11:14:00.001-05:00

I tried a new recipe last night.

Joe picked up a whole chicken while I was in Michigan last week. Since neither of us had ever cooked a whole chicken before, I googled a recipe and tried my best.

While the chicken was in the oven, to later be accompanied by roasted mushrooms, steamed rice, and green beans, I tackled the kitchen.

It's a bit embarrassing. But here's what the kitchen and the cupboards (which were decidedly NOT user-friendly) before.

And after.

It doesn't look like a completely dramatic before and after because there wasn't much to get rid of....just a little extra clutter. But in this case, to simplify our time in the kitchen, I reassessed what we use most often and rearranged things to they have a better fit in our teeny tiny kitchen.

No Denying...

2011-09-14T16:14:00.003-05:00

Mama Mac at 18

KtMac at 26